AUTUMN HAS FALLEN

Source internet

AUTUMN HAS FALLEN.

MUMS CATCH MY EYE IN THE FALL.  The beautiful array of colors bedazzles the porches throughout communities, farmhouses and beyond.  I thought this image was gorgeous with the urns and containers holding the colorful blooms.  OH SO PRETTY.  Nature at her best.

I've noticed that I truly am a FAN of the variety of colors that plants and flowers have to offer.  They add such charm and interest that I can't help but want some on my porch.  I am one of those peeps that admires what they do to a HOME's entrance which is the first place that draws attention to the place.

AUTUMN HAS FALLEN FOR SURE.  As we drove to a community to watch a CROSS COUNTRY event, the landscape has changed from middle of the road greens to bright ones blended with oranges, yellows and browns.  We're having a beautiful FALL so far with the calendar AUTUMN in 6 days.  SO that's close enough to say it's AUTUMN.  

OUR AUTUMN has gracefully snuck up on me with SEPTEMBER half over.  HALF OVER!  I have to stay focused on our yard work and house repairs as the time slips right on by.  My Iced Tea breaks in the middle of the afternoon need to include sitting outside on the porch watching the world pass me right on by.  The mornings are cooler and the sounds of AUTUMN with gentle breezes feeds my soul with peace.  I so like this part of AUTUMN.

This week I plan to cut back the Coleus that is in the front porch urns and replace them with deep red Mums.  I'll see about keeping some starters from these plants to winter for next spring.  I have to figure where I will house them though.  This is a challenge in our small COTTAGE.  Perhaps in the SHE SHED on a rack?  

ON THE HOME FRONT:  Waiting for the vacuum cleaner part to come in the mail before I will know if I will be able to reclaim my Kenmore vacuum which is a beast of a cleaner.  The little BLACK AND DECKER I have has been thoroughly cleaned and I will vac the upholstered furniture this week to come and clean the house.  Eager to get this done with AUTUMN CLEANING before the HOLIDAYS come.  

There will hopefully be a deep cleaning to my satisfaction.  I have watched lots of videos about DECLUTTERING and cleaning to see how others do this task.  This is my HOMEWORK I do with coordinating actually cleaning.  HOMEWORK.  I've been at it for some time and yet I am still not to the place I want to be.  I keep on keeping on.

I have plans of BABY SITTING the youngest Grandchild this week over at his HOME while HUBBY will remain at the COTTAGE working on the Bathroom remodel.  When I return HOME, I'll pick up the vacuum and go to town as they say with cleaning the furniture.  Another Cross Country Meet will take place and I hope to watch it.   

Yesterday, we went to one with 132 High School girls on the Varsity Teams running 5k.  Very tough course.  GRAND placed second!  So proud of her.  Watching the students run the course is enjoyable to me.  Usually the runners are finishing up after 20 minutes and then we leave.  They put in the training and practices and we the spectators get the pleasure of cheering them on.   

St. Louis Grandson has started Cross Country as well as a Freshman and he did well in his race as well.  Placed 7th in his race.  He grew up being a dedicated video game player so I am very pleased he has taken an interest in an out door sport where he is actually using his entire body to get some exercise instead of being semi-conscience in front of the computer screen.

MID-September.  I am needing to walk this week.  I'll be doing it like a SPORT, but at a slower pace and hopefully enjoying the scenery as I go.  The temps are where they should be to assist me in encouraging a pleasant walk.  I believe I will course a trail throughout town to where I change up the challenge some of walking a mile a day.  

NO DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS THIS WEEK.  PTL.  I hope it stays that way.  

So some planting of mums, transplanting Coleus, AUTUMN cleaning and general tidying.  I really need to continue clearing out the garage with this beautiful weather that we are blessed with and WALKING.  The car will get some more work done on it.  Shocks done and more to do.  New tires are in the future plus a wash.

AUTUMN HAS FALLEN and with that leaves will have to be racked and bagged.  That's pretty good exercise isn't it?

~d

KIRBY

KIRBY.  Dead for many years now.  My KIRBY VACUUM died many years ago.  There was no Kirby replacement for me with another KIRBY as they are way too expensive and cost far more than I wanted to spend on a vacuum.  It was well made and ran for close to 30 years with my husband doing a major repair on it one time.  After ir died, I had to get a different brand.

My little BLACK AND DECKER that I have been using for a few years has seen better days.  I had a Kenmore that I used to death before it.  We didn't pitch it, but put it in storage.  We decided that we'd try to get it fixed as there are vacuum repair shops.  Drove over to visit with the repair man and he said if our Kenmore vacuum is over 5 years old he cannot get the parts for it.

Hubby checked on his phone for parts and ordered a part that he thinks will fix it for under $30!  If we get a few more years out of it then wonderful.  If not then I'll fork out the money and get a NEW VACUUM again.

I'm wanting to get tighter with our spending and doing the repairs this way is better use for our mula right now.  

Hubby ordered the vac part over the phone and it will be at our front door in a few days.  Hubby will switch the part out and I pray my vac sucks.  If all else fails I'll be off to Vac shopping again. 

Once the vacuum is working, the upholstered furniture will be treated to a cleaning, then the carpet throughout our COTTAGE.  It needs cleaned terribly bad.

Went to a couple of VINTAGE SHOPS afterwards to look.  Only bought a couple of gorgeous mums for $20.oo  Hubs is talking about digging up some Irises beside the cellar door so he can brick the area for a walking path to the water faucet.  I like the idea of this.  The mums might be planted on the other side of the cellar door.  They are a gorgeous shade of burgundy.  

AUTUMN truly is here.  The landscape is getting so pretty with splashes of color.  I'm never ready for it as I know bitter cold weather isn't far behind, but the AUTUMN DECORATING is getting to me.  I believe I am ready for this part of the season.  Next month I can drive by our old house and think about living there.  I mustn't get sad about it.  My LIFE is here now in this small town America inside our tiny fixer upper COTTAGE where we have no house payment.  That should mean something to an old LADY.

I can't help but day dream about how the COTTAGE will fix up to.  I decorate in my head almost daily.  Cheap entertainment.

After we got HOME from our outing today, I placed a load of towels in the drier, broom swept the kitchen floor and spot cleaned it with a wet cloth.  Nap time came on and I had to sleep so I can make it  through supper and TV night. 

The gut pain I've had for two weeks is finally gone.  Praise the LORD.

I'm getting to one of those MOODS where I want to cut my hair and have it styled.  pause.  Better think about this one.

Cross Country Meet coming and I will be baby sitting my youngest Grandchild.  That will be a hoot.  Hope I can keep up with him.

Hubby's work on the car was a success!  So pleased and so is he.  The car has returned to being a car and not a TANK.  It was no fun bouncing along on the roads with bad shocks.  Our 2006 car has had the same shocks the entire time.  Time to replace.

LIFE IS GOOD,

~d  

WORD SALAD SENIOR MOMENT

I HAD ONE.  We went to the grocery store together and I was struggling with fatigue.  Nothing new.  Sometimes it's worse than other times.  I was dragging and mentioned perhaps it was my medicine I was taking for WATER PRESSURE.  

Water pressure? 

Hubby asked me if this was a new medicine?  Then at that moment I realized that I meant to say BLOOD PRESSURE.  The blood pressure med is blended with diuretic. Somewhere between my brain and mouth a wire got crossed and the words came out like word salad.  Blood pressure meds with a water pill is now water pressure.

After I realized what I said, I smiled then laughed.  I must be losing it.  How many peeps do you know are taking medication for water pressure?  none.  grins.

This time I did not catch my miscommunication.  I THINK I usually catch them when it happens.  I think.  oops.  Not this time.  There will probably be more times of munchin' word salads.   

May you have a blessed week-end.  We're off to go looking for a NEW VACUUM SWEEPER.  Mine has gone Ka-put.  Perhaps I'll be swept off my feet today by finding a great one.

Close to 50 years ago, we bought a KIRBY VACUUM SWEEPER with all the bells and whistles for $400.oo. This was an outrageous price then for one.  OUTRAGEOUS.  It was my valentine gift from my sweetheart.  Not romanic, but practical and very much needed.  Kirby lasted close to 30 years with my hubby once replacing the motor himself.  He priced Kirbys today at $2300 to $2600.  My eyes bugged out.  No Kirby for me and I'm alright with that.  A Kenmore will do.

Interesting things to come.

~d

BLINKING and POOF

THURSDAY ALREADY.  How did that happen?  Blink and it's the week-end.  When I'm busy, the time flies.  

Hubby has plans to work on the car as the shocks have gone haywire.  Driving the car is like driving a small tank.  Tis horrible how bounchy it is.

Pray it is successful and there are no injuries.

I did watch the Presidential DEBATE on Tuesday.  I'm not saying much about it.  Come election day in November, a newly elected President will be selected.  Which ever side wins, we the people are being allowed to experience what the ones in control wants us to.  Who are the ones in control?  Conspiracy Theories a plenty.  I was able to watch the complete debate.  Much to talk about.

ON THE HOME FRONT.  I attempted to vacuum the living room and the vacuum started smoking.  The light on the vacuum showed smoke.  By vacuuming it was stirring up so must dust, I turned it off.  I'll be cleaning the machine in a little bit.  I'm not impressed with this vacuum.  Though it is fairly new, it hasn't done well.  My old vacuum is in storage and I need to find a repair man to see if he can repair it.  The house needs vacuumed so badly.  The importance of keeping it clean is apparent to me.  I have let it go further than I should have.  Gotta get back with it.  

Wednesday came and I was on the go again.  Recounting what I did.  Paperwork gone through.  Went through old newspapers to cut out articles to file.  Hubby loaded our donation boxes and storage boxes into the car.  A trip to the post office to mail some cards and pick up the mail.  Paid the City bill.  Drove to the out of town storage unit to unload some boxes and check on mouse traps.  Drove over to Manhattan on this fine almost AUTUMN DAY.  The trees are turning.  Rolled into town and made a Goodwill drop.  Starbucks Green Tea treat.  It is my reward for being out and about.  Drove across town to the Manhattan Running Company to purchase some runner's socks for one of our Cross Country Grandsons.  Will mail tomorrow.  Target was close by, so we shopped for milk, soy-free eggs (which they didn't have) and paper products.  I rode their cart! We checked out and went to a different grocery store for SOY-FREE eggs.

HY-VEE had them.  Looked for mouse traps.  It was getting late so we ate Chinese at the grocery store.  It was more like a hunger saver.  Ate a few pieces of Orange chicken and noodles.  The veggies were awful.  Sipped on water.  Checked out and drove back to the country storage unit to set out more mouse traps.  Onward to our COTTAGE.

Unloaded and put stuff away.  The day was pleasant and the weather beautiful.  Late Summer days like today bring back memories of my childhood.  The tops of the trees are turning orange.  AUTUMN is here in disagreement with the calendar.  An early AUTUMN.  Not ready as I know cold weather will follow.  Slow this down and take it all in.

Evening closed in and I was tired.  Ready for bed.  Slept til 5 this morning.  Started my day.  I'll need to take a look at the vacuum.  I hope I can fix it.  Will wrap up the runner's socks and get in the mail.  Perhaps I'll walk to the Post Office today to do that.  I'll need to check up on my Mom later as she has a doctor'e appointment today.  Having some visual problems.  Water the porch plants and pick some cherry tomatoes.  This morning, I'm going to put a JACK LALANNE video in and walk through it.  I think his program came on the television about nine in the mornings when I was a kid.  So I'll aim for 9 this morning to watch him.  

I had a thought yesterday about 911.  23 years ago this happened.  I did the math.  I am the age my mother was when this happened.  69.  Doesn't seem possible.  911.  We were living in Manhattan, KS.  Hubby came home from work for lunch and I was sitting on the sofa when he asked me if I had been watching the tv.  I hadn't and he filled me in on what had happened.  STUNNED to say the least.   

He was at the Kansas State University Student Union with the department he worked for when using large tv screens to display something they were promoting when the aircraft crashed into the tower.  Was that suppose to happen?  No. 

Think what you might, but I believe explosives were used inside the structures to assist with the destroying of the the towers.

911.  pause.  

LIFE IS BUT A VAPOR.  Saying my prayers and figuring out what I will attempt to get done today.

God bless,

~d 

SOMEBODY RAN OFF TO GET MARRIED WITHOUT TELLING HER PARENTS OR ANYONE ELSE

THE DRAMA CONTINUES.

WHAT A WEEK.  MY GUT IS HURTING from it.  I believe I will survive though as I have traveled around the sun many times.  The dust has settled.  Granddaughter got married without telling us.  I've had a few days to think about it and the shock has disappeared for now.  

My gut has been causing me some issues since we heard the news from my son that his daughter told her mom she was getting married in three days and by the way you are not invited.  I do believe his daughter is a drama queen and into shocking her parents for all kinds of twisted reasons she has created. 

I was nauseated and uncomfortable as we rode the highway to go to appointments, but the weather couldn't have been more beautiful.  Think I had better eat yogurt.  Diverticulitis flare up?  I really believe that the news we received two weeks ago was the culprit for this irritated gut.  The drama continues.

Now, I know that our 22 year old granddaughter is old enough to get married, but it was the way she did it that was so hurtful.  When this granddaughter told her mom that she was getting married in three days and by the way you are not invited and dad does not deserve to give me away, it hurt loved ones like her folks.  The three days came and went with no wedding taking place.  THEN a week later they married without telling their folks the day they would marry and announced it on FACEBOOK.  Tadaah, we're married.  Imagine reading about it on FACEBOOK.

I have not been told anything by her.  Nothing.  I will not be reaching out to her about getting married until she actually says something to me.  I believe it is her place to be the one to tell me she is married.  Her other grandma called her telling her she felt left out.

As a Grandma, at first when my son told me about what his daughter was going to do, I was a bit stunned.  Now they have actually married.  The dust has settled and truthfully she is by all means married.  

She's a MRS.  Her husband is an only child and as far as I know he did not tell his parents that he got married.  sad.  I can't even imagine the hurt his mother is going to feel.

Are these grown children into deliberately dishing out shock for effect and attention?  My granddaughter has talked about having a beautiful wedding since her youth.  Now she has gone a different direction.  She's an adult and it is her prerogative to change her mind.

I see a rocky road ahead of them with their in-laws.  Grand does not get along with her husband's mother at all and now the groom does not get along with his father-in-law.  The groom has not so much as talked to his father-in-law or shown his face to him about marrying his daughter.

Even though the granddaughter is a adult, my son would have appreciated if the groom had visited with him about his intentions of marrying his daughter.  Nothing.  Future Holidays and get togethers will be something else if there are any. 

The relationships between adult children and parents are not where they should be.  My daughter.in.law is broken hearted as she had planned on giving her daughter a beautiful wedding someday and my son is upset because he was denied walking her down the aisle to give her away.  

I've gotten use to the idea that she is married, but believe it is the granddaughter's place to inform me that she is married.  My husband is upset with how this has gone.  

Many eloped in years past and the news of getting married came after the deed was done later.  Lots have married in a NEVADA Chapel by Elvis impersonators.  It happens.  My mother.in.law eloped with my father.in.law back in the day in New Mexico because they allowed underaged girls to marry without parental consent.  They remained married over 65 years I think it was.   Sometimes couples get married in small ceremonies and have a reception afterwards.  Perhaps this will happen.  

With a grown granddaughter not saying a word about marriage to both sets of grandparents, what are they thinking?  I guess it's what they wanted.  I believe I will live and accept that their marriage is what it is.  To read about them getting married on FACEBOOK where I was not told in person, received a letter or given a phone call is disappointing to me.  I'm the grandmother.  My heart breaks for my son and daughter.in.law.  

The married couple will have to stand on their own two feet and I don't see that happening as they are making plans to move in with his grandmother who's relocating from Texas.  They are going to split the rent with her.  She'll get the rental house and they will move in together all three of them.  Not a healthy arrangement for newly weds starting out.  They will be one little family when I think they should be just a couple together in the privacy of their own place building their marriage and estate of their own.  

Many live as a married couple within one household with other family members and I am not saying it shouldn't be done, but the groom will depend on his grandmother to pay his bills.  Not adulting at all.  

I was raised to marry who I wanted and I did, but there should be preparations about what to look for in a spouse when in grade school having seeds of wisdom planted along the way.  My mother told me that you cannot live on love alone.  True.  In the real world there are bills to pay and taking responsibility for one's actions.  Having to take ownership of our actions AND mistakes.  Some do not heed godly counsel no matter how gentle is was given in the beginning.  My grand has not embraced godly counsel.  She will have a rocky road to travel.  It's hard to kick against the pricks as the Bible says.

It's their marriage and I can pray, but the newly weds will have consequences to their actions that they cannot escape.  No hiding from this one.  Now to focus on my own marriage in the COTTAGE.  

Being stunned about them marrying is over.  Love goes a long ways, but the young couple will have relationships to mend.  I don't see that happening knowing their personalities unless they significantly change.

🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡

MONDAY, WE HAD TWO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.  Early morning to MANHATTAN for Hubby's labs and off to TOPEKA for a sonogram.  We drove through St. Mary's for an early lunch at SUGAR CREEK.  Broccoli and cheese soup with unhealthy crackers. 

Quick trip to TOPEKA to a medical appointment then we went to GOD'S STOREHOUSE and a grocery store for fresh produce.  A peaceful drive HOME to unload.  I cleared out old produce out of the veggie/fruit fridge and placed the fresh produce in it.  We have groceries for a good week or more.  Incorporating more veggies in our diet will continue.

It wasn't Senior Discount Day at the storehouse, but I couldn't resist two Blue Willow chop plates and 2 cereal bowls that match my set.  An old Depression Federal glass Madrid pattern dinner plate was picked up.  A pair of blue jeans for me and an $2.50 old pair of costume earrings.  

Then there was a THANKSGIVING TURKEY candy container with lid for $1.oo.  Thanksgiving time to follow and I will have a glass turkey to maybe place cranberry sauce in.  Checked these out and they go for $30 so a dollar is a win.  Spending was low.  I have not stayed with NO spending...just low.

With September here, it's time to deep clean as I prepare for the HOLIDAYS.  I am deep cleaning our little Parlour.  The vacuum will come out and work over the upholstered furniture.  This small COTTAGE has a great deal of Kansas dust in it.  Not sure why there is so much.  Lots of dusting has to take place to keep this HOME tidy.  It will be awesome to have this room fresh and clean.  Amen.

Another load of donation stuff is ready for give away!  That's great.  With having experienced so many deaths of friends and family, it has helped me to not be so attached to certain things.  Life is short.  Enjoy to the fullest.  I am running at turning loose of things faster so I can enjoy a decluttered HOME.  It is what I am aiming for.

BLESSINGS and all the best,

~d

TUESDAY DEBATES WITH A HEAD IN THE SAND

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES.  I watched the debates when living in this COTTAGE before with TRUMP and CLINTON debating issues.  Now, it is TRUMP and HARRIS.  Many will be watching I'm sure.  POPCORN and the debate.  

AFTER the November elections, we will have a newly elected president and the one elected may not be who you wanted.  One way or the other, we as the American people will need to carry on.  I do not see it as the end of the world.  

I haven't hid my head in the sand about politics, but knowing me I cannot get completely consumed with this theatre.  Staying BALANCED requires an effort from me.  I'm old enough to know that one way or the other after election, there will be a different President than Biden.  It'll either be Trump or Harris.  

If a civil war breaks out...I pray we have unity.

~d

AN EASY SOLUTION TO DECLUTTERING

DECLUTTERING.  More to do.  I'M DOING THIS and have been doing this for sometime.  GRAB A LARGE CARDBOARD BOX and start loading it with donation items.  After deciding which items to keep for now, if there are no strong attachments to items then donate them or give away.  No emotions needed.  Sentimental items are a different ballgame.  Decluttering is still possible.  Getting the EMOTIONS out of the way helps.  Take pictures for recall and stay with the decluttering until it is complete.

If the items have great value to them, of course you should take that into account and sell.

If you have to take a break while decluttering, do.  An easy solution to decluttering is...just do it.

AND AWAY I CONTINUE.

THIS WEEK, we have two medical appointments scheduled and a sporting event.  FREE TIME...I have hopes of going out to the garage and taking a serious look at what is out there.  I believe the easiest way to make a dent in the mess is to go looking for TOYS that can be washed and sanitized then transferred to a storage tub that is waiting for a young grandson to play with.

Later in AUTUMN, the youngest Grandson will come to our COTTAGE once a week to spend time with me and we'll call it PRE-SCHOOL.  The TOYS will be waiting.  

I'm guessing what is in the garage.  I should get a good look, stop and take a mental note.  WHAT'S GONNA GO?  SHALL SEE.  

I believe that I have improved on having NO EMOTION on getting rid of clutter.  I admit that I have struggled before with turning loose of clutter.  The noise in my head about selling these things rumbles at times.  Then I have to reassure myself that if I did sell this stuff it wouldn't make much.  I can count the loss and say it was better to get into the comfort zone faster than hanging onto the stuff being charged for storing it.

When I am HOME, it is better to locate things to donate to thrift and place things in a cardboard box.  This week I will continue doing this and turn loose of it.  TIS SEPTEMBER and we're going on ten months of living here.  When I get to the month of OCTOBER at Halloween, I will allow myself to drive by our old house in a different community.  I heard that the new owners had put a metal fence around the property.

I will have accomplished a goal of having stayed away a year from that house.  It will be strange, but I want to do this.  I have been faithful to staying away.

FAUX PUMPKINS are popping up in the stores.  Time to get my decor out and become AUTUMNIZED.  The flag banners on the windows can come down this week and pumpkins placed outside. 

AUTUMN is in the air.  Sunday, October 22, 24.  13 days and counting! 

~d

How to Make the Best Fried Green Tomatoes | Allrecipes.com

DEAD TIRED and DEALING WITH BEING OVER WEIGHT

MAKING PLANS TO WATCH A GOOD MOVIE TONIGHT.  THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN.  Starring Robert Redford. 

DO NOT KNOW ALL OF THE REASONS SOME CHOOSE TO LIVE A LIFE OF CRIME.  In this movie it shows the life of Forest Tucker, a career criminal and prison escape artist.  Mister Redford did a fine job as Forest.

Woke up from a 2 hour nap this afternoon.  Too tired to do anything.  Not going to get done what I had planned.  TOO TIRED.  Change of plans.  Will return to everyday living tomorrow.  My computer is on the fritz and until it is fixed, I will use my Hubby's which I cannot download pictures from my camera.  My son suggests making an appointment with an APPLE STORE to have them discover what is wrong with my laptop.  She's about 8 years old and it's time for a check-up.    

Long drive to St. Louis on Tuesday.  So many trucks on the highway.  Safe trip.  This week was spent with family in St. Louis, watching a grandson run his first High School cross country event coming in 11th, visiting Historic St. Charles, watched a movie, watched Kansas City Chiefs Football.  We drove HOME after late so we'd be back in our neighborhood to go to another Cross Country Meet in Kansas on Saturday morning.  Granddaughter came in first place achieving her Personal Best.     

After seeing pics of my big body at the Cross Country Meet, I just about cried at how large I truly am.  I'm beginning to wonder if my body is shutting down on me.   

Busy and exciting week.  I was dragging when we returned HOME on Friday night.  Rolled up to the COTTAGE at 1 AM.  Needless to say, I AM EXTREMELY TIRED AND TOOK A NAP in my recliner after the Saturday event.  I can tell I have changed as an older woman where I cannot keep up.  I am no longer young.  

Tonight will be a slow paced night and that's alright.  Tomorrow will come and it'll be back to doing the laundry, walking, etc. 

~d 

COMING UNHINGED and CAUSING PROBLEMS

MERCY SAKES.  TIME GETS AWAY FROM ME.  Into the month of September.  Beautiful September.  Yard work will pick up this month as the temps cool off some.

Made plans for how we're going to proceed in all of this mess.  Yellow mums are in the round containers on the porch!  That's good and they look gorgeous.   

I came unhinged looking at our back yard.  It's in need of mowing again, edging and the overgrown grass is out of control in the flower beds.  It is absolutely tacky and unkept.  With cataract surgeries in March plus healing in April, flu in May, Co v id in July, I failed to get things done.  Hubby's foot injury made things come to a pause.  He's feeling better and I hope to be.  We may have to hire someone to do the work if we keep falling behind. 

With the weather cooling off, it will be better working conditions to do yard work in.  It weighs heavily on me with so much needing done.  It's not the end of the world, but having messes around me that I am responsible for and not getting taken care of raises my blood pressure.  I know it does.  Even with knowing it takes time, but not getting it done... bugs me.  Having to get through it is difficult on my nerves.  

With so many projects being worked on, I'm looking for short cuts to get through this time in our lives.  Priorities are needed with taking deeper breathes so I don't stay unhinged and frustrated.  This period of what we are doing about getting downsized, better organized, and staying on top of home things is ongoing.  I have to relax about it all, but still work.

I finally talked Hubby into us using paper plates, throw away cups and utensils while we are working at getting the house remodeled.  I have very limited energy and I wear out incredibly easy.  Seeing dirty dishes in the sink does not get me excited.  Instead a heaviness comes on me and I get further drained than I already am.

My energy needs to be used at getting other things done besides hand washing dishes, glasses, pots 'n pans, utensils.  I don't have to feel guilty that I am using paper and plastic products to help lift the load of housework while remodeling.  I think we need to eat lighter meals such as soups, salads and sandwiches and maybe have a huge meal one day a week instead of having the meals that take hours to prepare and clean-up.  It's one way of helping.

Having a healthy balance is necessary.  TRUTH.  Also when not well, there has got to be some tricks up my sleeves to get things done.  Short cuts in assisting the way.

We finished clearing out one of the storage units we had rented and returned the key to the owner.  Made progress.  It was work to make this happen, but we stuck with it and got this taken care of.  We rented this unit close to a year ago.  We have to pace ourselves and continue making progress on all of this.  

TODAY, I will do some laundry, wash dishes, fix easy meals, shuffle some stuff about.  It'll make a difference.  

I've got to wrap up a Japanese Tea Set to give it to my St. Louis Son.  He's really big in being cultural, so I thought just maybe this would be something he'd like having.  I could be wrong and if I am, it doesn't matter.  I'll find someone else who would appreciate this great craftsmanship.

Continuing to gather things to donate.  Eventually, we will have a slimmed down environment and be functioning in a better way.  Down sized.  Right now, it's a hot mess. 

LORD WILLING THIS AUTUMN, the bathroom will be completely finished.  It has drug out for way too long.  
The CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS in the cellar will be gone through and thinned out.
The SHE SHED will be cleared out and the Victorian Bedroom set up.
The TV room made.
AND the front Bedroom set up. 
This all HAS to be done before CHRISTMAS. CHRISTMAS!  

One way to simplify CHRISTMAS, is to celebrate JESUS.  I agree.  Getting all worked up about this HOLIDAY causes so much stress and anguish.  I don't believe the LORD wants that for us.  The celebration shouldn't be a headache, but a joyous occasion.

I'm aiming for scaled down decorating, gift giving and baking.  I can do this.  I have had to fight inner demons to get to this place.  I know in my head that I should simplify, but in my real world there is a war going on to accomplish a simplistic environment.  DOn't sweat the small things has not been achieved.  It is a work out for me to simplify.  How much of this is a bad case of attitude? 

Each and every day I HAVE TO work on House and Garden projects so we have a comfortable place to call HOME and live.  Trying like heck to keep my cool and not fall apart.

I've had a tendency to get worked up and it causes peace problems within.  Still learning to do LIFE differently in a better way.  Lord help and I have to apply myself.

~d

ONE DOWN AND TWO TO GO

Yellow Mums symbolize joy and happiness.
In Victorian times: Chrysanthemums were used to convey good fortune, well-wishes, and feelings of friendship.

LABOR DAY WEEK-END.  We labored as we worked on clearing out one of our storage units.  We are so close to being finished with only a recliner, art canvases and trash boxes still remaining in the unit.  It will have to be swept out and the key returned before we are no longer using it.

Placing the over flow of our things in storage units is a stepping stone in the journey of having sold our big house and retiring to the RETIREMENT COTTAGE.  Turning loose of much is a journey.  Not bragging, but we have in use three units, a garage and a cellar yet to go through.  As for the units, one down and two to go.  It more than likely will take another year to have cleared out the other two units.  Seriously.

It is uplifting to me to have done so much on this one unit we worked on.  To see a nearly empty storage unit feels great.  Today, we will finish up and call it good.  The recliner and canvases will go to the she shed and the trash boxes will go in our back yard until trash day comes on Thursday.  

We ate lunch then took naps.  I was ready for the rest.  The temps started to rise and we waited until it cooled some before tending to planting the cheery yellow mums.  After thinking about which containers the coleus and the mums should be in, I decided that the coleus should just stay in the urns they are in and the mums could live in the big round containers that were upside down in the back yard.

Hubby helped me as the round containers were filled with new potting soil, lifting the mums out of their small pots placing them in the large round containers and tapping down in their new home.  I watered them well and then admired their beauty.  Decided to put them beside the already thriving coleus on the steps of the COTTAGE.

I figure that I will take cuttings of the Coleus early October and start new plants.  The Mums will winter in the round containers in the backyard.  I have to figure out what to do with the Geraniums and return the Schefflera to the Living room.  By the end of October, the TV room should be up and going and I might be able to winter some of the plants in there.  The small Living room will become my formal Parlor where it won't be so crowded and it will hopefully stay lovely all the time as we will use the tv room for messes such as piles of magazines and knick knacks.  

The rest of the evening allowed time to sit and relax.  I removed the figurine bunnies I have sitting around and replaced them with faux pumpkins and changed out the flowers in a vase I have on the small, antique chest by the front door.  Splashes of orange are coming out to enjoy.  No tele watching, but searched on the net, did some paperwork and ate supper.  The sun went down and I was ready to go to sleep.  

Plans for today are to finish clearing out the storage unit, do some laundry and paperwork.  We have a watermelon to eat and leftovers to use up.  No special celebrations today for Labor Day.  I probably won't go walking as the time will be used differently.

Salads to eat and water to drink.  

I weighed myself on the bathroom scales to record for the month of September and away I go on this journey to continue to reduce my weight.  The weight has climbed some and its got to go.  I have not set up a date to use as a marker of when I want to reach my ideal weight if ever.  Right now I am focusing on eating healthier and changing lifestyle practices with how active I am.  Staying in motion is a must.  I pray I can transform into a healthier me.

I found a JACK LALANNE audio cd that I listened to over the week-end.  I actually liked it as I attempted to do some of the activities he instructed the listener to do.  I figure this is a good place to start with him.  I can sit in my chair and follow along for now.  

We went to the time trials of the High School Cross Country team on Saturday as they get ready for the 2025 season.  They had a beautiful day for this as it wasn't too hot. 

The rest of the day, we had a very quiet one at HOME and fixed a gourmet meal for our 50th wedding anniversary exchanging greeting cards.  I still couldn't believe we have been married 50 years. 

Hubby fell asleep on the sofa so I watched FRIED GREEN TOMATOES on the laptop computer.  I had forgotten how good a movie this was.  Evelyn Couch is a timid housewife in her 40s in 1980s Birmingham.  Her husband Ed has an aunt living at an Alabama nursing home, where Evelyn meets elderly Ninny Threadgoode. Over several encounters, Ninny tells Evelyn about the long-abandoned town of Whistle Stop and its residents.

I don't believe I've ever eaten fried green tomatoes.  Think I should try some.
    

The week is in full swing. 

Waking early today, so I can get my chores started.  The house is extremely quiet.  I need moments like this.  

~d

DECORATING IN SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER is here!!!  The kids are back in school again.  Not sure where the time went.  Summer vacation is over and school activities are in full swing.  Somewhere along the way, they grew up.

Fifth Grade

Freshman

Senior

Senior

Freshman

MAY THEY HAVE A BLESSED YEAR.

The porch will get cleaned off and I'll make plans to decorate it with garland, leaves, and pumpkins.  I'd like to hang some garland above and along the sides of the porch columns.

I'll be transferring the Coleus plants into larger round containers and placing bright yellow mums in the urns they were in.  There's a urn with peppermint herbs in it that I will cut out and fill with a stack of pumpkins.  That should be lovely. 

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 

Lingering effects.  CO V ID  did a number on me.  My sleeping habits have been affected.  The cough I had was tremendous and I had difficulty falling asleep at night.  About 6 weeks later, I  still tend to not want to go to sleep.  I find myself still awake at two or so.  I decided to shut down for bed no later than midnight and force myself to do my best to sleep.

The coughing has slowed way down and I am working at doing more chores.  Being fatigued plagued me.  I deliberately REST, drink fluids and pace myself.  

Today, I walked only 3/4th of a mile.  Even though my times were good, I was breathing too heavily and decided that I did not have it to give.  I'll try again tomorrow. 

PLANS FOR THE MONTH:

Plants transplanted.
Porch cleaned.
Porch decorated for AUTUMN.
Tidy Master closet.
Car Clinic for cold weather to come.
Flowerbed created in the backyard on other side of sidewalk and relocate two rows of Irises.
Winter clothes checked so they are ready to go.
Clear out the SHE SHED.
Relocate the Victorian Bedroom furniture to shed.
Set up the new TV room.
Work on front Bedroom.
Bathroom worked on.

Enough for September.

~d